Her pulse slowed as she looked at him, as she took in the dimly lit room around her with its four-poster bed, lush rugs, and velvet curtains. Damn it. The hallucination, dream…whatever the hell she’d just experienced had killed their restful mood.
“I—”
“Casey!”
The sound of Callia’s voice in the living room, at this hour of the morning, brought both their heads around.
Casey’s heart rate shot up again. And one thought registered. The king. God, not now. Not with Isadora missing. Casey darted a look at Theron and saw the worry she felt reflected back at her. She reached for her robe from the end of the bed and headed for the door.
“Hold on, meli.”
By the time she pulled the double doors open, Callia was already across the living room, her hand lifted to knock on the bedroom door. She wore baby blue silk pajamas, the cuffs of the pants brushing her bare feet, the sleeves falling to her knuckles. Behind her, Zander’s face was pale and drawn, and from his twisted sweats and rumpled hair it was apparent his much-needed few hours of sleep were also long gone.
“The king?” Casey asked, her worry overriding everything else.
“What?” Callia’s brows dropped low. “No. He’s fine. I mean, I’m sure he’s fine. That’s not why I’m here. I—”
Relief was swift and consuming. And then Casey thought of the dream and dread spiraled in like a twister.
Casey reached for her sister’s hands. “You felt it too.”
“Yes,” Callia breathed, gripping Casey’s hands. “You did as well?”
Casey nodded.
“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Theron asked.
“I vote for that,” Zander muttered at Callia’s back.
Casey’d almost forgotten about the males in the room. She turned toward her husband. “I don’t know. At first I thought it was a nightmare. It was so strong it pushed me right out of bed. But now I’m not so sure. I thought I felt—”
“A jolt,” Callia finished. “And then a voice. It sounded like…”
As Callia’s words trailed off, Casey looked back into her sister’s wide frightened eyes, at the wild and tousled hair framing Callia’s perfect face, at the stark reality mirrored back at her. One look and Casey knew the nightmare hadn’t been a nightmare at all.
“Isadora’s voice. You heard Isadora.”
“Yes,” Callia finished on a whisper. “Scared and alone and hurt. Casey, I’m starting to think I’m going crazy.”
“Not crazy,” Casey said. “I heard her too. She was calling out to us.”
“Where?” Theron asked, excitement reverberating in his words as he stepped up next to Casey. “Where is she?”
They all knew this was the first real lead they’d had in over a week. Of course, Casey and Callia had tried repeatedly to use their link as the Horae to contact Isadora but nothing had happened, and the weaker they became the less likely they’d be any help. Now though, if there was a chance Isadora was reaching for them the way they were reaching for her…
“I don’t know,” Callia said. “Before, when Atalanta had Max and we tried to find them, we had the Orb to direct our energy. And we were all three together. This time—”
“This time we know more.” Casey squeezed Callia’s hands. “Touch and focus, remember? It’s how we each use our gifts. We direct that, and then we focus on Isadora.”
“And if it backfires?”
Callia was worried Atalanta would be able to see what they had planned again, like last time. The difference now was that they had nothing planned. They needed to find Isadora first. “Do we have another option?”
Callia’s eyes held hers, darkened with understanding. “No.”
“Thea,” Zander started, but his worried voice faded to nothing as Casey closed her eyes and homed in on Isadora.
The Horae marking on her lower back began to pulse. The room spun and then she felt herself flying across space and time. Darkness pressed in, illuminated by tiny white lights all across the inky canvas like a thousand stars upon the heavens. She squeezed Callia’s hands tighter, felt her sister’s presence, and called out to Isadora with her mind. And was jolted by another sharp stab to the heart, this time stronger than the one that had propelled her out of bed.
I thought you’d never hear me.
Isadora. They’d reached her.
The Fate said balance, but I didn’t really believe her. I’m just…I’m so happy I found you.
Casey had no idea what Isadora was rambling about. She was just thankful her sister was still alive. We’ve been so worried, Isa.
Are you all right? Callia asked. Where are you? Tell us how to get to you.
I…I’m fine. Tired and weak but not hurt. I…I don’t know where I am. It’s cold here. And dark. And there are daemons everywhere. But neither of you can come for me. That’s what I needed most to tell you. Her voice hitched. It’s not about me anymore. Not even about us. It’s bigger than that. We can’t give Atalanta what she wants. Whatever you do, don’t follow Demetrius. Don’t let him bring you to me. He…
The sob that caught in Isadora’s throat was too much for Casey. What did Demetrius do? Did he hurt you, Isa?
Not physically, no. Isadora sniffled. He…he’s just not what everyone thinks.
“Oh, gods, Gryphon was right,” Callia whispered.
“Son of a bitch,” Theron muttered from somewhere close.
Isa, think, Casey said. Has anyone said anything, anything at all, about where they’re holding you?
No…nothing. I…I’m so sorry I’m not strong enough to get out of this on my own.
We’ll find a way, Isa, Casey said, her own voice catching. Do you hear me? Whatever you do, don’t give up hope. We’ll—
I have to go. Fear filled Isadora’s words. She’s looking for me. I don’t want her to know we’ve been in contact. I love you both. I wish we’d had more time. Remember what I said. Please don’t come for me.
Isadora, wait. Callia’s fingers tightened against Casey’s.
Isa?
Silence.
Casey’s lashes lifted and she looked into Callia’s worried eyes. But before she could turn and tell Theron what they’d discovered, the main door to their suite burst open and a member of the Executive Guard stumbled across the threshold.
“What in Hades is the meaning of this?” Theron asked.
“Sir.” The guard’s flustered eyes darted to Casey and Callia across the room. “My ladies, apologies.” His gaze swung back to Theron and excitement filled his voice when he said, “We’ve got him. He came across the portal not more than thirty minutes ago. We’ve got the bastard. And he was carrying this.”
He opened his palm to reveal the earth element, a shining diamond marked with the Titan symbol, the likes of which Casey had never seen before.
Callia gasped, and Zander moved in next to her for a better view. But what held Casey’s undivided attention wasn’t the gem or even the power she felt radiating from the guard’s hand. It was the knowledge Demetrius was back. And he was the only person in the world who could lead them to Isadora.
“Where in the bloody hell is he?”
Voices echoing down the dark staircase brought Demetrius’s head up. Slowly, he pushed up from where he’d been sitting on the cold floor, leaning back against the stone wall, every muscle in his body aching as he waited for freedom.